Spain — Beachcomber Pete Travel Adventures

Cabezon de la Sal , Spain

Cabezon de la Sal , Spain is a small town in the autonomous community of Cantabria on the northern coast of Spain. It is in a very verdant region of lush foliage where the winds from the Atlantic Ocean are trapped by the Cantabrian Mountains giving the area 47 inches of rainfall per year. The region has had institutions of self-government since 1981.

Some of the oldest history of man in Europe is in the area with sites from the Lower Paleolithic period. There are nine World Heritage caves of which the most significant is the cave of Altamira with paintings dating from 37,000 BC. They are just a few kilometers from Cabezon de la Sal. The area was first mentioned by Cato the Elder in 195 BC as the source of the Ebro River. After the fall of Rome, it was captured by the Visigoths in 547 and remained independent until the Arab invasion in 714. By the 16th century it was referred to as The Mountain and that name is still used today.

The mountains are a big part of the attraction to Cabezon de la Sal. It has mountain climbing, hiking and skiing nearby as well as surfing in the Atlantic Ocean. Some people hike in the morning and surf in the afternoon.

There are two major ski resorts within 50 kilometers of Cabezon de la Sal. Alto Campoo is a large resort with 27 kilometers of skiing above the tree-line. It is a good place for advanced and intermediate skiers. It has 4.4 kilometers of cross-country skiing and a vertical drop of 475 meters. Lunada Ski resort is a small resort with seven kilometers of cross country skiing and five trails. Its vertical drop is 200 meters.

There are five mountain peaks within 50 kilometers of Cabezon de la Sal where there are hiking and biking trails, mountain climbing and beautiful views. For those who prefer the sea, there are five surf breaks within 16 kilometers of the town. San Vicente Rivermouth Spot and San Vicente have good waves year round, but the beaches can be crowded. Playa de Meron is not usually crowded even when there are waves.

There is some historical architecture nearby in the town of Comillas. El Capricho is a house built by Antoni Gaudi. It is an early work and has some fascinating detail. Also nearby are The Palacio de Sobrellano, Pontifical University of Comillas and the Cementerio de Comillas. They all have historical significance and architecture worth seeing.

Filed Under: Cabezon de la Sal, featured, Spain

Santona, Spain

The scenic wonder of the area of Santona, Spain, is enough to draw visitors from all over the world. Add to that the town’s historic buildings and great art makes the area even more of an attraction for holiday and adventure travelers.

One of the principle attractions of the city is the Church of Santa Maria del Puerto. This church dates back nearly 10 centuries and reflects the Romanesque architecture featuring a bell tower and stone structure. This church was one of the centers of the growing seaport community through its growth through the Middle Ages. The church also houses a number of art works dating back centuries.

Other attractions in the area include the stony mountain peaks that serve as a backdrop to the community. The El Fraile Peak stands sentinel at the harbor while Berria Beach provides visitors a chance to enjoy the sand and surf. The city is divided between the lower flat terrain and along the beach and the inland mountains.

The city also honors Juan de la Cosa with a monument. Juan de la Cosa was a navigator and cartographer from the era when the world was still being explored by men who went to sea in small wooden boats.

Visitors interested in military history also find Santona highly interesting. The community’s historic importance protecting Spain prompted the construction of several forts in the region. San Martin is among the best preserved of the forts of the Middle Ages and attracts visitors from all around the world. This fort, and the mountain terrain along the coast, made Santona a formidable target for any Invader.

The restaurants of Santona offer many of the dishes of the Spanish cuisine. The industrial sector of Santona specializes in processing tuna and anchovies from the sea and olives grown in the surrounding farms. Both of these items find their way into the locally produced foods.

The city’s position on the north coast of Spain and well-appointed harbor and marina have created a busy and popular recreational boating industry at Santona. Boaters can explore the marshlands across the harbor from the city or the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Boaters sometimes pursue game fish or simply enjoy the wind and sea.

Filed Under: featured, Santona, Spain

Comillas, Spain

Famous for its combination of incredible modern and historical architecture, Comillas, Spain is located in the province of Cantabria, on the northern coast of Spain. Although it is a tiny place, home to just under 2,500 people, it’s a very popular tourist spot. Visitors can roam cobblestone streets, visit beautiful beaches, or take a trip to the well-known El Capricho building, designed by renowned modernist architect Antoni Gaudi. It’s the only Gaudi building in Cantabria and part of what gives Comillas its reputation as being the most beautiful city in the province.

Comiilas is located west of the Cantabria capital city of Santander, bordered by the Picos de Europa mountains and by the Bay of Biscay to the north. The largest of its beaches, Comillas Beach, is near the Oyambre Natural Park, which features an estuary where hundreds of water birds make their nests. The beach itself is a good location for various water sports, including diving, windsurfing, sailing, and fishing. The town welcomes thousands of tourists every summer who take advantage of the warm temperatures. With its stunning natural beauty, it is easy to see why Comillas was historically a favorite holiday destination for the Spanish nobility.

The modernist architecture in Comillas is even more popular than its beaches. The unique palace known as El Capricho was built by Gaudi in the 1880s, out of vibrantly contrasting color tiles. Nearby, the neo-Gothic Sobrellano Palace stands overlooking the water. Gaudi designed the interior of that building as well, and it was the main royal residence during visits to Comillas by the aristocracy. These two iconic structures, as well as churches, mansions, and taverns, give Comillas a sense of charm and originality, distinguishing the town from Spain’s other coastal tourist spots.

The mild weather in Comillas means many tourists choose to visit all year round. In winter, it hovers around 45 degrees, and in summer, it rarely reaches 90. There’s not a lot of rainfall either – only around 2.2 inches in the wettest months. The area boasts a wide variety of hotels of all sizes, some with golf courses and private gardens, perfect for anyone looking to enjoy the sunshine and sea air, and to find out why Comillas is considered one of a kind.

Filed Under: Comillas, Europe, featured, Spain, Spain

Santander, Spain

A royal summer retreat, Spain’s city of Santander is known for its beautiful Magdalena Palace. The city is Cantabria’s capital. With a small historic district, the city sits on the coast. A popular seaside location for visitors today, much of Santander was destroyed in a fire in 1941 so the city has been renovated and rebuilt since that time.

In the north of Spain, Santander has several historic villages that connect to it like Cuelo and San Roman. Because of its port location, the city enjoys an oceanic and humid climate. Summer temperatures average around 23 degrees Celsius and the wintertime temperatures are normally approximately 13 degrees.

The mild summers and beaches attracted King Alfonso XIII during the early 1900s to the city. During those years, swimming in the salt water was thought to be therapeudic. The harbor was a means of trade with the New World after the 1400s, and the ancient Romans settled the town and named it, Portus Victoriae luliobrigensium.

Today, Santander is more than a capital city. The urban center is home to the University of Cantabria. A cultural hub, Santander has many museums and centers for the study of local cultures. Additionally, a branch of the Menendez Pelayo International University is a school for people to come from around the globe to learn about the Spanish culture and language.

The city attracts visitors from all over Cantabria as well as the world for its many festivals and other attractions. As examples, bonfires on the beach in June celebrate summer and Saint John’s Day and Festivals of Saint James happens in July. Many of the historic homes, churches and buildings nearly destroyed in the 1941 fire are now well-kept. Visitors take fascinating tours of the old city and newer architecture.

People can also get out in the city and seaside areas enjoying squares, parks and beaches. Swimming, picnicking, cycling and boat trips are some of the activities young and old residents and visitors do during leisure time. Then, the Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria is a wonderful place for performance arts programs such as dance, music and plays.

When it comes to eating in Santander, seafood and fish fresh from the ocean are common. Near the harbor where the fishermen come in is a tourist area where fabulous restaurants serve the fish of the day. Santander is also known countrywide for its ice cream.

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Filed Under: Europe, featured, Santander, Spain

Carmona, Spain

Visitors to Carmona, Spain, often learn of the city’s long history. The town, known as Carmo at the time, existed in the era of Roman Emperor Julius Caesar. The city later became a stronghold of the Moors or the Muslim population of the Iberian Peninsula. The area came under the control of Ferdinand the Third of Castile in the 1300s. Ferdinand brought Christianity to the region as he united much of what is now Spain as a single country.

Carmona is known for its classic and ancient architecture. Some of the most impressive attractions include the Cordoba Gate. This gate was constructed during the Roman occupation as the passage from Carmona on the road to Cordoba. The Seville Gate is of slightly later construction but served the same purpose.

The city of Carmona is also known for its tombs. Many of these structures are well preserved and offer visitors a chance to view the death rituals of cultures that are centuries in the past. The Circular Tomb is known for the round grave mounds that include burial chambers carved into rock. The Tomb of the Elephant features a stone statue of a pachyderm standing guard over the carved tombs.

Visitors may also visit the Santa Maria la Mayor. This Christian church was built over the wreckage or an earlier Muslim Mosque. The church is just one of the religious buildings in Carmona from the Middle Ages and earlier.

Viewing the historic buildings of Carmona can build quite an appetite. Visitors have a number of choices of cuisines in the area. Many of the delicacies of the area of the area based on traditional Spanish foods and based on locally grown tomatoes and olives. One of the popular culinary treats for travelers is the Ruta de las tapas or Tapas Route. This is a walking route from bar to bar that offer the tapas cuisine.

Visitors to Carmona often combine a trip to nearby Seville as part of their holiday. That city also offers amazing architecture and historic buildings. Other attractions in the area include Donana National Park offering natural marshes among the streams flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. The area attracts bird and wildlife watchers from all over the world.

Travelers to the south of Spain and the Carmona in particular rarely encounter long periods of inclement weather. The region enjoys the climate typical to the Mediterranean region with pleasant conditions nearly year around.

Filed Under: Carmona, Europe, featured, Spain

Alicante, Spain

In the beautiful Valencian Community of southeastern Spain, Alicante, Spain sits on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea. This popular beach resort and port has gorgeous beaches and a long history dating back over 6,000 years, and the city has a stunning skyline with spectacular surroundings and a castle on Mount Benacantil dominating the cityscape. Alicante has the best of Spanish culture, history and beaches.

The weather in this coastal city is gets close to perfection. The Mediterranean climate provides mild temperatures during the cooler seasons of the year with less than 40 days of rain for every 360. Summers are mild to hot and mostly sunny. The average low temperatures do not dip below 43 degrees Fahrenheit, while the average highs stay under 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

The history of Alicante goes back to early tribes of people before recorded history. Then, the Phoenician and Greek merchant traders set up ports for trade on the eastern coast of Spain around 1000 BC. By the mid-200s BC, Rome and Carthage were fighting for control of the Iberian Peninsula and Hamilcar Barca built a fortress on the coast where Alicante stands today. He was a general for the Carthaginians. Still, the city changed hands several times before finally coming under Valencian rule and King James II of Aragon in the late 1200s AD.

One of Spain's most rapidly growing cities, Alicante has an economy that is fueled by its highly successful tourist trade. Travelers using a Thomas Cook Voucher will find many travel deals to the Alicante area. Additionally, nearly 40,000 students attend the Alicante University every year. Then, the city also has one of Europe's largest film studios. Along with the tourists and students, the growing metropolis is home to many immigrants who have brought their unique cultures to enrich the city.

Of course, culture and history run deep in Alicante. Vacationers planning a trip to Alicante will find MyVoucherCodes has numerous discounts available. The city has various festivals that are well attended by residents, students and tourists. A festival commemorates the summer solstice and another explores the performance arts for a couple months in the summer. The most popular and celebrated festival is Los Hogueras de San Juan. Eating in the city is also a cultural experience, and restaurants offer the best of local Valencian cuisine.

Then, for history buffs, Alicante has many historic sites. The castle on Mount Benacantil is a must see. The Moorish Mosque and St. Mary's Church are two other interesting historic buildings. Museums display collections of fine art and regional historic artifacts.

Filed Under: Alicante, Europe, featured, Spain, Valencia

Magaluf, Mallorca

Magaluf, Mallorca is known as a fashionable vacation resort. Situated on the island of Majorca, located in Spain, Magaluf is chiefly visited by Scandinavian, British, and Russian vacation seekers.

Found in the municipality of Calvià, this beach resort is one of many in a string of towns including other Spanish villages like Torrenova and Palma Nova. Majorca's primary airport hub is located 15 miles from Magaluf.

This resort town features one large beach, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. The shore is rimmed with quaint bars, hotels, and souvenir shops. Popular with young singletons and families alike, making Magaluf holidays perfect for everyone. Magaluf's most popular season is in July and August. In winter, the population reverts to 4,335 town residents. Most businesses associated with tourism close during the winter.

Part of its appeal as a stomping ground for young people lies in its plethora of trendy clubs and hotspots. World-renowned DJs have played in Magalluf including superstar spinners like David Guetta, Basshunter, and Judge Jules.

Most of the night-time hotspots can be found on the Punta Ballena area. BCM, the largest and most storied nightclub on Magalluf, features two floors. The bottom level, called Millennium, throws events using foam, popcorn, and water. BCM boasts that it holds the biggest and most famous foam party. A new VIP Lounge complete with bottle service and opportunities to meet DJs was recently unveiled.

Ibiza Rocks, in 2010, launched a new hotel named the Mallorca Rocks Hotel for live concerts. Popular British band The Kooks kicked off the inauguration in June, 2010. These two hotels have been successful in staging live concerts for seventeen weeks during the summer of 2011. Concerts take place on Tuesday nights at the Mallorca Rocks hotel. A crowd of 4,000 can enjoy music from the likes of Calvin Harris and Dizzee Rascal.

Magalluf affords all visitors an opportunity to enjoy a variety of attractions. The Western Water Park offers water rides with an old west theme. Visitors can watch diving exhibitions, participate in falconry, or visit one of the the Western Water Park's dining establishments.

Other attractions include the House of Katmandu, which features themed rooms with robotics, illusions, and games. Pirate's Adventure offers a dinner theater style show. Visitors can also participate in go-karting, horseback riding, and a myriad of water sports are offered such as diving, wind surfing, and water skiing.

Some tourists enjoy swimming to and from the Black Lizard Island, situated in the middle of Magalluf Bay.

Filed Under: Balearic Islands, Europe, featured, Magaluf, Spain

Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain

Visiting Madrid for the first time you have probably but a list together of things to see and not miss. One of the places that you will want on your list is Royal Palace of Madrid. Conveniently located close to many hotels and old town apartments Madrid, Royal Palace of Madrid makes for a perfect day outing.

The Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain or Palacio Real, was commissioned by King Philip V of Spain and completed in 1764, occupied by King Charles III. It is on the site of an older fortress that was occupied by the Moors, called Alcazar, which was destroyed by a Christmas Eve fire in 1734. Built of limestone and granite, the palace was designed to resemble the Palace of Versailles in Paris, France.

The palace is the largest in Western Europe and was the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family. However, the last king to actually live in the palace, Alfonso XIII, vacated in 1931 when he left Spain and went into exile. Currently the royal family resides in a smaller palace outside of Madrid.

The architectural style of the Royal Palace is described as a mix of Baroque and neo-Classic. It was originally designed with Italian influence, and later modified in a French style. Today it holds 13th Century weaponry in the Royal Armoury, in addition to classic art, and historic furnishings. The Royal Library contains books, maps, medals, royal correspondence, and musical scores. The Royal Palace of Madrid is open to the public, except during state ceremonies. Only 50 of the more than 2,000 rooms in the palace are open for tours, including the china room, or Sala de Porcelana, and throne room, or Salon del Trono.

The outside grounds of the Royal Palace feature the Campo del Moro and Sabatini gardens, where fountains, French gardens, and statues of Spanish kings are displayed. The Sabatini Gardens replaced the royal stables at that location. The Plaza de la Armeria is an open square that sits between the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral. Once the location of medieval houses, the Plaza de Oriente now hosts small gardens and sculptures of forty kings. A central courtyard is accessed via the Puerta del Principe door.

The Royal Palace is in the heart of central Madrid on Calle de Bailen, in the area of the massive Casa de Campo park and old town apartments Madrid. Guided or audio tours are available and the palace is open all year, except for major holidays. The palace charges a fee for entry.

Filed Under: Europe, featured, Madrid, Spain

Centro de Arte Reina Sofia Madrid

The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia Madrid is Spain's premier museum of modern art. The museum opened in 1990, but today is spread out over four venues. The main collection is in the Sabatini Building, formerly an 18th century hospital. However, there are exhibits, libraries, and events also at the nearby Nouvel Building, and the Palacios de Cristal and de Velazquez in the Parque del Buen Retiro.

A single 6 € ticket gets you into both the Sabatini and Nouvel buildings. The palacios in the park have free admission. If you're only interested in one of the museum's temporary exhibits, you can buy a reduced price ticket for 3 €. Staying in a Madrid apartment or hotel, one could make this a one day event or several days of leisure viewing.

The museum is home to works from all the greatest 20th century Spanish artists. However, without question the masterpiece of the museum is Picasso's famed anti-war mural, "Guernica." You'll also see works from Salvador Dali, Joann Miro, Juan Gris, Antoni Tapies, Pablo Serrano, and Jorge Oteiza. There are some modern works by non-Spanish artists including Man Ray, Georges Braque, and Julian Schnabel.

The Reina Sofia groups its works into three main chronological collections covering the years from 1900-1945 (Collection 1), 1945- 1968 (Collection 2), and 1968-1982 (Collection 3). Within each collection, the rooms are organized either by artist, theme or medium. For example, Collection 1 has a room dedicated to "Juan Gris. Reconfiguring the Modern Gaze." In the Collection 2 area of the museum, you can visit a room called "Neo-Realism in Spanish Photography," and Collection 3 has a room called "The Feminist Revolution."

The types of works included in the collections are paintings, drawings, sculptures, and photographs. In addition to the organized collections, a number of sculptures are placed throughout the walkways and common areas of the buildings.

The museum also has a significant library in the Nouvel Building. Its reading room is open to the public. You can also go up to the museum's rooftop terrace to enjoy panoramic views of the city and Retiro Park. The museum also runs a variety of arts, social, and education events.

One of the joys of spending some time in Madrid and living like a local in one of the many hotels or apartments in Madrid is that you can spend as much time or as little in a given day visiting the museum.

The museum is open every day except Tuesday. It opens each morning at 10 a.m. and closes most nights at 9 p.m. On Sunday, the museum closes at 2:30 p.m. From October to March, the palacios in Retiro Park are open every day except Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. From April to September, they're open every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. However, keep in mind that the Palacio de Cristal may be closed if it's raining.

Filed Under: featured, Madrid, Spain

Thyssen Bornemisza Museum, Madrid, Spain

The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Madrid, Spain is an experience that should not be missed when visiting Madrid. This privately owned museum is situated in the area of central Madrid known as the "Golden Triangle of Art." Conveniently located to Madrid apartments and Hotels makes this another relaxing and interesting stop for travelers getting to know the city.

The perfect companion to its neighboring galleries, the Reina Sofia Modern Art Museum and the Prado Museum, which features works from antiquity, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Madrid, Spain features a wide variety of works that span several centuries. These include masterpieces from the German Renaissance, with both Impressionist and Expressionist styles, Russian Constructivism art and two halls dedicated to 19th century North American paintings, along with various temporary exhibits.

The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza opened in 1992, with a private collection of works owned by Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza. The Baron began collecting great works of art in the 1920s and his son, Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza, inherited his father's love of art. The elder Baron's passion for art is evidenced in this exquisite collection of works by the old masters. He amassed 525 paintings from antiquity during his lifetime that are now on display at the Museum. His son, Hans Heinrich, continued to collect ancient pieces, but in the 1960s he began collecting works by modern artists as well, culminating in the Modern Masters' Collection.

Some of the great artists on display at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid include: Van Gogh, Gauguin, Carpaccio, Van Eyck and Klee, along with many other notable artists. A recent addition to the works on display is the Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, belonging to the younger Baron's widow, Carmen. This fabulous collection has been on loan since 2004 to the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, and features several hundred paintings and other pieces of fine art. This collection features works by Monet, Boudin, Renoir, Rodin, Picasso and many others.

Works of art are displayed throughout the museum in a format showcasing them chronologically, from the 13th through 20th centuries. Local residents as well as travelers staying in hotels and apartments in Madrid will find the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum well worth the visit.

Hours of Operation

The permanent collection can be viewed Tuesday through Sunday – 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Closed Monday

Saturdays offer extended hours for viewing temporary exhibitions, staying open until 11:00 p.m.

The museum is closed on January 1, May 1 and December 25.

Ticket Prices

Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection admission is 9,00 Euros general admission and 6,00 Euros reduced rate. Tickets can be purchased by phone, online and at the Museum ticket office.

Prices for temporary exhibitions vary by exhibit.

Children under 12 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

In celebration of the museum's 20th anniversary, those born in 1992 will be admitted free during 2012.

Filed Under: Europe, featured, Madrid, Spain